After trying Llama the location aware app an idea struck my mind that
if we could map all cell tower addresses on a map, plot it into an offline map, we could find our location according to the nearest cell tower and navigate to another place by simply selecting the cell tower and as the location changes the cell tower address change and our location on the map change. this would reduce the data and battery consumption. Databases are available over the internet. i dont know if this is practically possible or not and also i don't know app development
if this is possible can anyone build it?
I also found an article http://eng.xakep.ru/link/50814/
does there already exist an app like that?
sygic works offline, turn by turn navigation and all
Doesn't Google maps do something like this when you don't have GPS turned on? Although its accuracy is usually within 1km without GPS which isn't very accurate when your trying to navigate.
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Just like it's in the iPhone. The GMaps app downloads a certain map area, and then using cell phone triangulation, pin points the location of the phone, and then gives directions etc.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_tracking)
Is such a thing possible on Windows Mobile? It should be, I feel, because there's no special hardware required for it.
GMaps for WinMo, *does* pin point point almost the exact location, but if the data/wifi connection is cut, the map disappears.
Cell Phone Triangulation works OK in the Google Maps latest version (and earlier too) for Window Mobile. The problem is you need a data connection to download the map to the phone. Google Maps does not allow to save the map for offline use or even thru Wifi, AFAIK. For that you will need another program like Google Navigator, which I think is better than Google mobile, but VERY EXPENSIVE. There are other freeware program alternatives that allow offline map saving and usage, but I haven't tested them. Hope this helps.
dgaud007 said:
Cell Phone Triangulation works OK in the Google Maps latest version (and earlier too) for Window Mobile. The problem is you need a data connection to download the map to the phone. Google Maps does not allow to save the map for offline use or even thru Wifi, AFAIK. For that you will need another program like Google Navigator, which I think is better than Google mobile, but VERY EXPENSIVE. There are other freeware program alternatives that allow offline map saving and usage, but I haven't tested them. Hope this helps.
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Wait. So are you positive that google navigator allows this? Download map once and then browse on it offline while your position is calculated using triangulation...?. Also what freewares are you talking about?
Have to tried Bing Maps app for WinMo ? I have got the directions when there's wifi and it caches the whole route. I once drove from Atlanta to Charlotte...only thing you have to do to kinda force it to cache by going over the entire route when you have finished setting up the directions from point A to B...
I downloaded the trial version of Google Navigator. I cannot figure out how to use it! With my WiFi connected, I tried zooming in, and it just doesn't load the map!
It should work thru wifi and cell phone triangulation, unless the demo is crippled or something. I know I used it in Buenos Aires. However, you may want to disregard Google Navigator since it looks like they are no longer in business. Some time ago I also tried these free alternatives, but it was a pain to download the maps,
MGMaps
Terracrosser
Yes, it's showing my location alright, with a Blue dot. But after that it doesn't load anything.
Do those other two apps support cell phone triangulation?
Just researched a bit, they don't.
So is there *no* way I can do what I'm trying to do? Sounds absurd! Why do iPhone users get cache supported GMaps and we dont?
great
that would be great, tell me how this works? or isn't it possible?
thanks
No help? There has to be a way!
If you have a program which will store the maps, (someone mentioned MGMaps and Terracrosser), then you can use cell tower triangulation with VirtualGPS.
EDIT: Nope. It is asking for internet connection for GSM Triangulation; for some reason. I don't understand why would Internet be required for *GSM* Cellular tower Triangulation.
cyanide911 said:
EDIT: Nope. It is asking for internet connection for GSM Triangulation; for some reason. I don't understand why would Internet be required for *GSM* Cellular tower Triangulation.
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because it needs to query a database of cell towers, that database is on the internet. either buy an unlimited data plan or don't bother I think all methods of finding location use a data connection apart from gps. gsm location is very inacurate anyway and they dont triangulate they just assume your position from the 1 cell tower you are connected to
also just a note the iphone uses skyhook to determin location when its not using gps so even if it does dowload the maps before hand it still needs to use a dataconnection if it finds a new access point or cell tower.
Okay, I understand. But then, even though such an app doesn't exist; it must be possible. Considering the app downloads the Map and cellular tower data for a particular area that we select. Then, it will not need any kind of interaction with an other server.
Also, it *is* triangulation. And it is accurate if you live in an urban area.
cyanide911 said:
Okay, I understand. But then, even though such an app doesn't exist; it must be possible. Considering the app downloads the Map and cellular tower data for a particular area that we select. Then, it will not need any kind of interaction with an other server.
Also, it *is* triangulation. And it is accurate if you live in an urban area.
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Yes it would be possible if it downloaded map and cell tower data.
Got any proof about it being triangulation? From what I understand although it is possible for a phone to connect to more than one cell tower wm at least has no managed or native functions which give you access to their cell ids.
Im not 100% if google mobile maps uses wifi but if it does that is triangulation if enough access points can be seen.
Hello,
Is it possible to have location determined by cell towers but have WiFi disabled at the same time.
I'm trying to conserve battery power but still would like to know approximate location of my phone. Is there an option to disable WiFI but still use cell towers in this case?
G
artisticcheese said:
Hello,
Is it possible to have location determined by cell towers but have WiFi disabled at the same time.
I'm trying to conserve battery power but still would like to know approximate location of my phone. Is there an option to disable WiFI but still use cell towers in this case?
G
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I'm looking for something similar. My antiquated Sharp & Nokia cell phones were far from feature rich but one useful thing they did was to list the suburb you were currently in based on data from the closest cell tower.
I've yet to find an Android app that will do the same thing witihout a wifi or mobile data connection and loading up Google Maps or the HTC sense weather/clock widget.
My service provider charges a $1 per Mb on my plan for mobile data and free wi-fi in NZ is hard to come by (and I live in the capital...).
There are the apps like Maverick and Rmaps that let you pre-cache Google maps and give you your location on the map using GPS which are good for navigation.
I'm just looking for a simple widget that gives the suburb you're in without draining the battery (and bank account) by using wifi/mobile data/GPS.
Google has so far failed me - not sure whether this is not possible with the Android OS or whether developers would rather create apps that use all the bells and whistles to determine your actual location.
Anyone out there know of such an app (or could write one)?
Ta.
normally this is possible with google maps but the only flaw is that your location is determined by the strength of the signal from the cell towers it's never accurate at lease not very accurate it will generally be off by maybe anywhere between 500 feet if i remember.
Hi guys! New to the forum and the Android OS. I've just purchased the Nexus S a couple of weeks ago and the phone is great except for a couple of minor details, but one thing really bothers me is the GPS. When I'm connected to wi-fi, Google maps is able to tell me my location fairly accurately. However, outdoors with no wi-fi, I try to have the settings to locate me based on satellite, but that always give me a "your current location is temporarily unavailable" message. I'm basically completely outdoors with view of the clear blue sky and it will always give me this message. Is something wrong
I've searched on the forum but nothing that answers my question. Anyone?
Hi,
Based on your question I am not shure if you are aware of the following:
GPS is only one of several location detection methods used by your phone. Another one is based on WIFI hotspots in range. Basically the phone scans the wifi frequencies to look for ALL hotspots in range and then sends this list of hotspots to google (only if some kind of internet access is available to the phone!). When this combination of hotspots is known to google, your phone gets an estimated location back from the google server. So from what you write, it is possible that you never had a gps fix, even when you got a (fairly good) location based on wifi.
I suggest you install some gps software other than google maps to check the functionality of your device. I use "GPS test", should be on the market. All it does, is scanning for satellites and displaying the list of discovered satelites. When the signal is good enough, you get a "U" in the column "flags" for the locked satellites.
Attention! You must start the scan manually from the apps context menu.
cheers
Yeah you gotta turn on your GPS for a more accurate reading if you're using maps or other navigational app
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Just an update. I haven't needed to use the GPS lately, but this week I decided to try again, and before, I have gotten a GPS fix with the GPS Test app. But that signal never lasts very long and it also takes a really long time for the app to use the satellite to lock on to my location. The GPS indicator on the top left of the app is usually yellow and only after a long time does it turn green, but sometimes it never turns green even with 7 or 8 satellites in view. Is this just a limitation of mobile GPS in cell phones?
I don't have a data plan so I can't connect to the internet while on the road, hence the need for GPS without having internet access.
As long as you have the SIM inserted, not on airplane mode and gps is turned on, and nothing is wrong with your phone hardware I don't see why it shouldn't get location fix outdoor.
There are some good offline maps like Osmand and MapDroyd.
I'm not sure what the Device only function does in the location settings. Can someone explain? How is this different from using Data/WiFi to determine your location?
Extreme112 said:
I'm not sure what the Device only function does in the location settings. Can someone explain? How is this different from using Data/WiFi to determine your location?
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Click to collapse
"Device only" per the description in Settings->Location->Mode only uses your device GPS receiver to determine your location from the signal from GPS satellites. It does not use nearby cell towers (Data) or nearby wifi networks (Wifi).
Having a choice lets you turn off various radios if you want. People used to do that a lot to try and save battery. Nowadays I just leave everything turned on - batteries are better, processors and radios are more efficient, and I'd rather have all the smartphone features working.
alistairs1 said:
"Device only" per the description in Settings->Location->Mode only uses your device GPS receiver to determine your location from the signal from GPS satellites. It does not use nearby cell towers (Data) or nearby wifi networks (Wifi).
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So in theory I should be able to use Google maps without Data/WiFi?
Extreme112 said:
So in theory I should be able to use Google maps without Data/WiFi?
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Yes, and I believe this worked fine on older versions of Maps provided you cached the map first (obviously you can't get the map without data access otherwise).
With the current version of Maps there's some debate whether offline navigation still works. To give it a try: to save the map, have the area you want showing, then press search and then scroll to the bottom card "Make this map available offline".
alistairs1 said:
Yes, and I believe this worked fine on older versions of Maps provided you cached the map first (obviously you can't get the map without data access otherwise).
With the current version of Maps there's some debate whether offline navigation still works. To give it a try: to save the map, have the area you want showing, then press search and then scroll to the bottom card "Make this map available offline".
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I think I get the function of this mode now. I'm gonna go ahead and try Maps and other navigation apps as well.
Thanks for explaining this stuff to me. You've been great help
Can I get my location with Wifi OFF 3g/LTE off and GPS off using only cell towers or does it need internet to get the info, my father says his Iphone 5 with apple maps doesn't need internet to get his location but what does my father know is this even possible and if so how do I do it on my nexus 5.
fleen said:
Can I get my location with Wifi OFF 3g/LTE off and GPS off using only cell towers or does it need internet to get the info, my father says his Iphone 5 with apple maps doesn't need internet to get his location but what does my father know is this even possible and if so how do I do it on my nexus 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already
Your approximate location will now be determined using cell tower triangulation. However, if you are trying to use Google Maps for example, you need to have previously made the area in which you are currently located available offline, or have it in your Google Maps cache. Otherwise it won't display anything of value to you without some sort of internet connection to download the map data.
You can also use Device mode which will use GPS to pinpoint your location. Same maps caveat applies as above, and obviously you need to be able to get GPS satellite locks (ie. outside or next to a window).
fleen said:
Can I get my location with Wifi OFF 3g/LTE off and GPS off using only cell towers or does it need internet to get the info, my father says his Iphone 5 with apple maps doesn't need internet to get his location but what does my father know is this even possible and if so how do I do it on my nexus 5.
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Click to collapse
You don't need internet to locate yourself only GPS.
Apps like Tasker and Llama can use cell tower location without draining your battery and requires a network connection but not data.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
xda_fanboy said:
Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already
Your approximate location will now be determined using cell tower triangulation. However, if you are trying to use Google Maps for example, you need to have previously made the area in which you are currently located available offline, or have it in your Google Maps cache. Otherwise it won't display anything of value to you without some sort of internet connection to download the map data.
You can also use Device mode which will use GPS to pinpoint your location. Same maps caveat applies as above, and obviously you need to be able to get GPS satellite locks (ie. outside or next to a window).
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I can't seem to get it to work I have downloaded google maps to view offline and it just stays there saying "waiting for location..."
And did the part "Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already"
Pretty sure the only way for that to work is if you have "WiFi always scanning" turned on.
You can set your locations to Device Only and it will just use the GPS and nothing else.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
fleen said:
I can't seem to get it to work I have downloaded google maps to view offline and it just stays there saying "waiting for location..."
And did the part "Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need GPS on at least. Thats what gives you your location. You can get a location based off of three things: Your mobile data, WiFi networks or GPS itself. You said you turned it all off so yeah, you arent going to get a location that way.
jsgraphicart said:
You need GPS on at least. Thats what gives you your location. You can get a location based off of three things: Your mobile data, WiFi networks or GPS itself. You said you turned it all off so yeah, you arent going to get a location that way.
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I can get my location with wifi and cell towers together. No GPS so I think its possible with Cell Tower Triangulation only in theory.
fleen said:
I can get my location with wifi and cell towers together. No GPS so I think its possible with Cell Tower Triangulation only in theory.
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Click to collapse
Well just from looking at the settings, you can either use GPS, WiFi and mobile networks....WiFi and mobile networks....or GPS only. So I guess, take your pick.
What are you trying to get out of this anyway? Just use your phone for calls and maps and thats it?
jsgraphicart said:
Well just from looking at the settings, you can either use GPS, WiFi and mobile networks....WiFi and mobile networks....or GPS only. So I guess, take your pick.
What are you trying to get out of this anyway? Just use your phone for calls and maps and thats it?
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You know those fitness apps that track where you have been and stuff, well I want to use one but outdoors theres no wifi and GPS uses too much battery
fleen said:
You know those fitness apps that track where you have been and stuff, well I want to use one but outdoors theres no wifi and GPS uses too much battery
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Click to collapse
If you want to save some battery on the GPS side put your phone in airplane mode. That will shut down all but GPS. I use mine all the time with an app called Backcountry Navigation Pro. They have a free version so you can check out most of the features that way. You can set it to record a track from every 5 seconds to 30 minutes. I set it to 5 minutes and have pretty good accuracy as far as where I've been and the GPS use is only on for that time. You should be able to do that with any good mapping app.
theesotericone said:
If you want to save some battery on the GPS side put your phone in airplane mode. That will shut down all but GPS. I use mine all the time with an app called Backcountry Navigation Pro. They have a free version so you can check out most of the features that way. You can set it to record a track from every 5 seconds to 30 minutes. I set it to 5 minutes and have pretty good accuracy as far as where I've been and the GPS use is only on for that time. You should be able to do that with any good mapping app.
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This is an option but if I can get the cell tower location working I would prefer it.
fleen said:
This is an option but if I can get the cell tower location working I would prefer it.
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Cell tower triangulation is not precise at all. It's only used to help your device catch GPS fix faster. If one would only use cell towers the accuracy would in most cases not got below 300-500m...
One cell tower can provide signal for a very large area. It can not be used for precise tracking as you need.
When I drive away from my house it can take over 5 minutes to leave the area of my 3 "home" cell towers.
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So its not what I want ok guys thanks how can I close this thread now?